Living with a physical illness or a gloomy prognosis may seem like a permanent grey cloud that inhabits your sky. Not only do you have to deal with the physical effects of an illness and certain drug treatments, but your emotional well-being and faith in the spiritual can be dramatically tested. So how can you overcome this to live a happy and productive life? Here are six uplifting tips to help you cope with an illness or a disease. Plus: How do you respond in a crisis?

“We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” E.M. Forster

Everyone has different coping strategies, some healthier than others. Some people ask the hard questions and do their own research, while others choose to be in denial about their situation. Some people are angry at a higher power while others are angry at themselves for not avoiding what might have been preventable. Some people choose to embrace their family more than ever while others sadly choose to isolate themselves. What matters most when dealing with a chronic or terminal illness is making an honest attempt at “living” again.

1. Live a Healthy Identity

When dealing with a disease, people will often let “being sick” become their identity. Their personal identity becomes the patient rather than the survivor. Relating to this kind of identity is unhealthy because you’ll begin to use it as an excuse to not “live.” Just because you’re sick or dying doesn’t mean you can’t retain the spirit and personality you had before your diagnosis. Understanding that you were never meant to be immortal puts your time with life in perspective, too.

2. Get in Control

Being diagnosed with a chronic or fatal illness may make you feel like you have lost control over everything, especially since you have lost control of your body. But when you relinquish total control to a disease, you are, in essence, already throwing the towel in and saying your life wasn’t worth much anyway. A better coping strategy is to take control of what you can. Ask the pertinent questions to your doctors about issues you are experiencing, do your own reading on other patient’s experiences and possible medical avenues to pursue. Take control of what you can.

3. Be Realistic

Your goals and expectations must be realistic, and unfortunately must be time-limited, which means that you have little choice but to live in the present with an awareness of the future. It’s also important to not dwell too much on the past with things like “What if I would have taken better care of myself?” Many people tend to want to cram in everything they want to do within the time of the prognosis they are given. While a go-getter attitude is a wonderful asset to have in the face of illness, being realistic cannot be overlooked. You may want to engage in dangerous activities you were always too scared to do, such as skydiving. While you’re entitled to do what gratifies you if it’s healthy and reasonable, you also must not abandon more important responsibilities, such as what precious time you could be spending on your relationships. Ask yourself, “Is there a more fulfilling, productive way to lead my life?”

4. Contribute to Mankind

When faced with the possibility of death, most people begin to reevaluate their lives and what they ultimately want their existence to mean in the end. Having a time limit on your life can inspire you to really pay attention to what matters most.

A fantastic coping strategy for many sick people is to volunteer themselves to a good cause. This serves as a way to validate your life, and will help you realize that while your time seems to be cut short, it’s what good you do during that time that ultimately matters. Utilize your talents, knowledge or compassion for the benefit of another and make your mark on the world.

5. Balance Dependence and Independence

Depending on the severity of your illness, you’ll probably need help with daily things, which means some of the roles of your relationships might have to be altered. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support because the stronger your support system and the more open you are with your feelings and concerns, the more mentally and emotionally better off you’ll be. If you have small children, however, remember that it’s unfair to expect them to become a caretaker or to burden them with your illness. In the areas where you’re able to be independent, exercise them, and acknowledge the areas where you need help from someone who can give it.

6. Just Do It

There is no doubt that picking yourself off of the floor and gaining the momentum to move on is no easy task.

And there really is no solid advice on how to accomplish this. You simply have to do it. You have to channel all of the inner strength you were given and use it to move forward. You really have no other choice. Just do it.

The more you can find hope and optimism, the more likely you’ll find a better adjustment to your new situation. Hope and optimism are possible, even if you feel unlucky, and you may find them in the smallest treasures of life. Coping with a terminal illness or disease in a healthy and productive way is a true testament to the resiliency of your character and what the human sprit can endure. Life is more than illness, so live yours and be well.

How Would You React in a Crisis?

If a disaster struck, would you run screaming for the hills or would you deal with the situation in a calm, composed manner? From earthquakes to wasp stings to car mishaps, a crisis could happen anytime. Take this crisis quiz to find out how you would handle an emergency.